LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 2

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2. CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES

2-01
To Revise Bylaws re Congregational Services

Rationale

The 1992 synodical convention established the Conference of
Congregational Services and resolved to combine various boards
into one congregational services board, effective with the 1995
convention.

Following formal approval by the 1995 convention, the Board
for Congregational Services identified ministry areas that would
continue to gather information and feedback from Districts and
congregations on needs, expectations, and trends. The ministry
areas were further integrated to meet the expressed needs of Dis-
tricts and congregations, receive communications from Districts re-
garding their plans and their congregations (through the Confer-
ence of Congregational Services), and continue to identify
refinements that might be necessary in view of continuing struc-
tural revisions at the District and national levels. The purpose (as
identified in 1995) of the Department of Congregational Services,
through its staff and in partnership with Districts, is to support and
serve the congregations of the Synod in their varied range of di-
verse and unique ministries.

Some Significant Transitions
¢ Church Membership Initiative projects completed at the end of 1998.
¢ Dr. Lyle Muller retired in March 1999 as executive director.

«Two meetings of the Conference of Congregational Services were
held each year, with the last held in September 1999. No others have
been scheduled due to budget reductions.

¢A “Parish Packet” with various information pieces, formerly sent
three times per year to congregations, was discontinued at the end of

1999.

¢ The annual planning guide for congregations with monthly emphases
and resource suggestions ceased to be produced after 1999.

* A new executive director was installed in April 2000.
¢ A Great Commission Convocation scheduled for 2002 was canceled.

¢ The unrestricted 1999-2000 fiscal year budget was reduced by
$225,000 from the previous year, and the unrestricted 2000-01 fiscal
year budget was reduced by $600,000, resulting in the termination of
7 staff positions.

* Transferred (outsourced) stewardship ministry to the LCMS Founda-
tion.

Congregational Services board and staff members have met and
dialogued with the Task Force on National/District Synod Rela-
tions since 1999. Survey findings from the task force along with
findings from the District staff assessment of Congregational Ser-
vices have provided constructive approaches in developing a focus
and a redesign plan for this unit.

An extensive assessment/evaluation process of Congregational
Services with District staffs was conducted in 2000. As a result,
the Board for Congregational Services has adopted a new purpose
statement, has established a set of core beliefs and core values, and
has identified critical targets (priorities), outcomes (goals), and a
comprehensive strategic plan. A name change is also being pro-
posed.

Resolved, That the following Bylaw revisions be adopted for
immediate implementation of the plan for the Board for Congrega-
tional Services:

Board for District and Congregational Services

3.7.4 The Board for District and Congregational Services shet-er-
genine-tself exists to enable vision and outcome develop-
ment, to prepare and revise policies responsive to both cur-
rent and anticipated situations, and to initiate action in order
to meet the changing needs of Districts and congregations:

tts-energtes-en_, helping Districts help congregations in build-
ing up disciples for service in the church and to all people in
today’s world. [replaces 1998 Handbook Bylaw 3.823]

3.7.4.1 The Board tor District and Congregational Services shall
consist of +4 8 members to be elected by the Synod in con-
vention: 3 2 pasters ordaincd ministers , 3 2 commissioned
ministers, 3 2 laypersons, and 2 members at-large. [replaces
1998 Handbook Bylaw 3.821]

3.7.4.2 The Board for District and Congregational Services;

= serves

with Districts that assist congregations to develop and foster

vibrant ministries to bring the saving, life-giving Gospel of

Jesus Christ to the sinful, dying world. The Board shall de-

termine the number and nature of ministry service areas

necessary to meet expressed District and congregation

needs and develop policies to guide the staff in providing

assistance in meeting them. [replaces 1998 Handbook
Bylaw 3.823]

3.7.4.2.1 The Board for District and Congregational Services shall

provide assistance to congregations in arranging and car-
rying out a comprehensive and effective program of

Christian education-espeeteHy-eeunselne thatthe mest
eHeetreedierttonreenctes retable te the-enereb fer

eresation. [replaces 1998 Hundbook Bylaw 3.823, 8]
and be it further

Resolved, That 1998 Handbook Bylaws 3.825 (Conference
Membership) and 3.827 (Functions) be deleted.

Board for Congregational Services

2-02

To Maintain Stewardship Department within Synod

WHEREAS, The Board of Directors of the Synod has discussed
transferring the Stewardship Department of the Synod so that it be-
comes a unit of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Founda-
tion and has in fact already begun to make such a transfer; and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 9.01 states: “The Board of Directors ... shall
.. provide for a Department of Stewardship ministry under the
Board for Congregational Services” (1998 Handbook, p. 133); and

WHEREAS, The LCMS Foundation is a corporate entity distinct
from the Synod and the transfer of the Stewardship Department of
the Synod to the Foundation would place the Stewardship Depart-
ment of the Synod under the Board of Trustees of the Foundation
and “under policies approved by the Board of Trustees [of the
Foundation]” (1998 Handbook, Bylaw 3.605 a, p.66); and

WHEREAS, This would mean that the Stewardship Department
as a unit of the Foundation would no longer be subject to policies
determined by a Board of the Synod elected in convention; and

WHEREAS, The Foundation as a corporate entity distinct from
the Synod is not authorized to provide services to congregations of
the Synod in the area of stewardship ministry or other services pro-
vided by the Board for Congregational Services; therefore be it

2001 Convention Workbook